EXHIBITIONS IN UTAH GALLERIES SHOW ART CAN BE `A FAMILY AFFAIR'

Earlier this month, Glen and Barbara Edwards teamed up with their son Charlie for a show at the Alliance for The Varied Arts Gallery in Logan. They called this family show "Edwards, Edwards, and edwards."- Artist Harold Petersen, his son Mark and daughter Holly all have works in the "Pete and Repete" exhibition in the Salt Lake Art Center's Upstairs Gallery.

Also included in this show are works by Petersen's other family - the art students he taught in the public schools. After all, one definition of family is "a group of people united by a common affiliation."

An impressive number of these former students have pursued art careers both locally and nationally. Among them are McRay Magleby, art director at BYU Graphics and professor of art at the University of Utah; Kim Whitesides, nationally known poster artist; Julia LaPine, co-owner of Lapine/O'Very graphic design firm; Scott Snow, freelance illustrator/designer and co-owner of Royter Snow Design; Shauna Cook Clinger, portrait painter; and Sheri Boyer Doty, prismacolor expert whose work is used by Bernol U.S.A. to promote the use of prismacolor.

One of Petersen's great loves is art. He said he finds much "joy and satisfaction in creating personally a work of art and having others experience positive aesthetic feelings in relating to it."

A second great love has been teaching art in the public schools. "I also love my students - those talented, creative, dedicated artists with whom I have had the privilege of sharing life and art over the past 35 years."

One thing that I particularly noticed when viewing the show, and which was later confirmed in his own statement, was the variety of styles that filled the gallery. It was immediately apparent that Petersen discouraged his students from imitating his own style.

He said that one of his basic goals has been to instill his students with a desire to make strong statements and to employ superior craftsmanship.

Once his students learned those two things, they often branched out into areas other than painting. Included in the show are sculpture by Kaye Morgan, jewelry by Janet Purdue Call, package design by Gary Corbett, greeting card design by J. Anderson, and others.

"Pete and Repete" continues at the SLAC through Jan. 1.

- Dolores Chase's "family" consists of about 16 gallery regulars. Each artist was asked to create works for the show that centered around the theme "In Celebration of the Host." As a result, Greg Abbott named one of his surrealistic paintings "Hostess" and Nel Ivancich's decided on "Host of the Vine" for the title of her abstract gestural work. Both are strong paintings.

Other eye-catching works in this new show are small etchings by Adrian Van Suchtelen, spiritual landscapes by Wulf Barsch, fanciful etchings and posters by James Christensen, surrealistic photographs by Robert Buchar, and highly individualized works by Doug Himes. Other artists participating are Edie Roberson, John Evans, Mark England, Ted Wassmer, Bruce Smith and four newcomers to the gallery - Marc Moulton, Brian Kershisnik, Barbara Madsen and Jana Pullman.

At a reception held Saturday evening, guests previewed a special limited-edition art book titled "Earthly Messengers." This collaborative effort has text by Terry Tempest Williams, etchings by Hal Douglas Himes, printing by Western Slope Press and binding by Rebecca Wetzel.

"In Celebration of the Host" continues through Dec. 23 at The Dolores Chase Gallery, 1431/2 Pierpont Avenue. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 12 noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For information, call 328-2787.

- A family reunion is taking place at the Kimball Art Center, where Dawna Barton and her four children - Brooke Morrison, Jill Gerrard, Linn Done and Kent Barton - are currently displaying their wares.

There are colorful floral paintings by Dawna, Jill and Linn; prints and paper collages by Brooke; and chair creations by Kent.

Most painters cannot resist dipping their brushes into dark colors. But Dawna does. As a result, she creates soft, impressionistic works filled with pastel colors.

Dawna attributes her success in painting to a daily painting commitment as well as a desire to produce art that "delights the viewer." Her works are available throughout the major countries of the world. She is her own publisher and distributor of prints, posters, cards and limited editions.

- In the Lower Gallery at Kimball Art Center in Park City, a "family" of local Utah artists have put together a fascinating exhibit titled "Masterpieces in Miniature."

This is the first time in the history of this small gallery that so many paintings have been hung at one time - 134 in all. The show was juried by Colleen Parker, a local artist who focuses on creating miniature art. She is a winner of many awards in national miniature art shows.

Although the artists whose works were juried into this show have done numerous small sketches during their art careers, many had never attempted a miniature painting before. And a number of them must have been pleasantly surprised with the results.